What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Although breast cancer generally shows no symptoms in its early stages, regular screening and timely detection are key to effective treatment and an improved outlook.
A breast lump is the most common presenting symptom. But for about 1 in 6 women with breast cancer, the broad spectrum of symptoms doesn’t include a lump.

This article explores the early signs.

Early signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Early on, a person may notice a change in their breast when they perform a monthly breast exam or when minor abnormal pain doesn’t seem to go away. Early signs and symptoms of breast cancer to look for include:
• a new lump that doesn’t go away after your next period
• swelling or a lump around the collarbone or under the arm
• changes in the shape of the nipple
• nipple discharge from one breast that’s clear, red, brown, or yellow
• unexplained redness, swelling, skin irritation, itchiness, or rash on the breast
• breast pain that doesn’t go away after your next period

A lump that’s hard with irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous.
Having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Nipple discharge, for example, can also be caused by an infection.
See a doctor for a complete evaluation if you experience any of these signs and symptoms.

Signs vs. symptoms: Is there a difference?
A sign is an objective, visible indication of an illness. A rash, bruise, abnormality on a medical scan, or a high temperature, are all examples of signs that might indicate an illness.
A symptom is a person’s reported, subjective experience. Feeling feverish, having a headache, or a specific pain felt in the body, are examples of symptoms that people experience.

Other causes of breast pain and tenderness
If you’ve had a mastectomy or other surgery related to breast cancer, you might get lumps or bumps caused by scar tissue in the reconstructed breast. This isn’t cancer, but you should let your doctor know about them so they can be monitored.

Clinically known as mastalgia, breast pain can also be caused by the following:
• the fluctuation of hormones caused by menstruation
• some birth control pills
• some fertility treatments
• a bra that doesn’t fit well
• breast cysts
• large breasts, which may be accompanied by neck, shoulder, or back pain
• stress

We often associate pain with something wrong, so when people feel tenderness or pain in their breasts, they often think of breast cancer. But breast pain is rarely the first noticeable symptom of breast cancer. Several other factors can cause pain.
Is armpit pain a sign of breast cancer?
Pain in your armpit could be a symptom of cancer, but it’s unlikely if the pain in your armpit occurs by itself without other symptoms. Potential causes of pain in this area include swollen lymph nodes, muscle strain, or hormonal changes.